A week-long, high-density policing operation across the Northern Cape has led to the arrest of 399 suspects, including several individuals who had been evading law enforcement.
Codenamed Operation Shanela II, the province-wide initiative ran from Monday, 18 August, to Sunday, 24 August 2025. Its targeted actions were focused on combating priority crimes within identified hotspot areas across all five districts of the province.
According to police reports, the majority of arrests were for serious offences, including possession of dangerous weapons, drug dealing and possession, illegal liquor trading, and crimes of violence such as murder and attempted murder. Additional arrests were made for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, burglary, and malicious damage to property.
The operation employed a multi-disciplinary strategy to disrupt criminal activity. Police conducted roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, and high-visibility patrols, resulting in 14,442 persons and 7,582 vehicles being stopped and searched. Compliance inspections led to the closure of 19 unlicensed liquor outlets. To bolster security in vulnerable regions, dedicated patrols were also carried out in farming and mining communities.
These concerted efforts yielded significant results, with police confiscating large quantities of illicit alcohol, narcotics, dangerous weapons, and stolen copper cable.
Beyond enforcement, the operation also included preventative community outreach. Several awareness campaigns were hosted, including Women’s Month programmes focused on combating Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). These engagements promoted personal safety initiatives aimed at protecting women, children, and other vulnerable groups.
Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, praised the success of the operation. She commended all South African Police Service (SAPS) members and involved stakeholders for their dedication and highlighted the vital role played by communities in supporting these initiatives.
“The success of Operation Shanela II underscores what we can achieve through collaboration,” stated Lt. Gen. Otola. “We encourage this continued partnership between law enforcement and the public to ensure safer communities for all across the province.”
